ZIMBABWEANS are true masters of their destiny and should work together to defend their sovereignty and independence, visiting President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Mr Kim Vong Nam has said.

Mr Kim, who is leading a high-powered delegation that includes the DPRK Ministers of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs, arrived in Harare yesterday afternoon for a two-day visit.

Speaking to journalists after meeting President Mugabe at State House in Harare, Mr Kim expressed admiration for the successes that Zimbabwe had scored under very difficult circumstances.

"The true masters of Zimbabwe are the people of Zimbabwe and they have real talent to build Zimbabwe. We wish that the people of Zimbabwe will continue to defend their sovereignty and independence in close unity in the future.

"My country will always be with Zimbabwe in the struggle for independence," he said.

"I mentioned to His Excellency President Mugabe that I feel for the independence of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe belongs to the people of Zimbabwe."

The DPRK and Zimbabwe have a long history and good tradition of friendship, he said.

At a banquet he hosted for Mr Kim and his delegation at State House last night, President Mugabe thanked the DPRK for its support in sectors such as construction, defence, security, energy, health, mining and arts and culture.

President Mugabe said the visit was a reaffirmation of the solidarity between the two countries, which dates back to the time the DPRK assisted Zimbabwe in the Second Chimurenga.

"Your visit takes place approximately three months after the formation of the inclusive Government by our country’s major political parties.

"The visit is, therefore, a clear demonstration of the DPRK’s support and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe in this noble endeavour," President Mugabe said.

He said though the inclusive Government had only been in place for a short time, the commitment of the leadership and the people of Zimbabwe to making it a success had been quite positive.

He, however, noted that efforts to rebuild the economy were being hampered by the continued existence of the West’s illegal sanctions regime.

"To give further impetus to this economic thrust, we are also engaging the international community and trying to normalise relations by resuscitating co-operation at bilateral and multilateral levels.

"Of major importance to us in this engagement is the need for the removal of sanctions. As long as the illegal and insensitive sanctions remain in place, our efforts to resuscitate our economy will continue to be more difficult."

President Mugabe said there was need for more high-level dialogue between Zimbabwe and the DPRK to give further impetus to bilateral co-operation.

He said a foundation for such engagement had already been laid through the Treaty of Friendship of 1980, agreements on trade in 1981 and the Joint Economic Commission of 1986, among others.

"It is very important that our countries actively implement these agreements to energise economic exchanges for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples.

"In particular, serious consideration should be given, through diplomatic channels, to the convening of the Second Session of the Joint Commission between Zimbabwe and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea."

President Mugabe also paid special tribute to the founder of the DPRK, the Great Leader Kim Il Sung, with whom he worked closely during the liberation struggle and the post-independence era.

"The Great Leader will thus live forever in our memories of the revolutionary struggle we waged to earn our freedom.

"Not only did he provide us with training facilities for our cadres, but he also extended to us substantial material assistance by way of weaponry. We thank him today as we did yesterday."

Last night’s banquet was attended by officials from the country’s main political parties.

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